We confirmed 15 Christmas events for kids in Dublin for 2026. The first is Wild Lights: Passport to Wonder on 12 November, and the season runs until 24 January with Beauty & The Beast. One of them is free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in Ireland.
The short version
- 15 kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Dublin, Malahide, Donabate and Tallaght
- First: Wild Lights: Passport to Wonder, Dublin, 12 November
- Free events: TwinkleTown Smithfield Square
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by area, with the date, time, price and the small things parents ask about (booking, ages, what is included).
Dublin Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 15 confirmed for 2026
- Areas
- Dublin, Malahide, Donabate and Tallaght
- Season
- 12 November to 24 January
- Free events
- 1
- Last checked
Christmas events for kids in Dublin
11 confirmed events in Dublin, soonest first.
Wild Lights: Passport to Wonder
Christmas lightsDublin Zoo · Dublin
- Host
- Dublin Zoo (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Dublin Zoo, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8
- When
- Nightly, 12 November to 5 January (closed 24 to 26 December), 5pm to 9pm
- Price
- Tickets vary by date; under 3s free but still need a ticket
- Ages
- All ages; child tickets for ages 3 to 15
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Wild Lights is back at Dublin Zoo with a new theme, Passport to Wonder: nine zones of handcrafted lanterns, light, music and colour inspired by celebrations around the world, from Diwali and Carnival to an Irish zone and the magic of Christmas. The trail opens on 12 November and runs nightly until 5 January, apart from 24 to 26 December, with entry from 5pm and last entry at 7.30pm.
Santa's Grotto opens on 21 November and runs until 23 December, but it is only sold as part of a bundle, so choose that option when booking. A sensory-friendly evening takes place on Tuesday 1 December. Tickets are for a set date and time and are non-refundable. Child tickets cover ages 3 to 15, and under 3s go free but still need a free ticket. The route is buggy and wheelchair friendly, and everything is outdoors.
Parent tip: Only small bags (about A4 size) are allowed and scooters are not permitted, so leave them at home. Dress warmly, as the whole trail is outside.
See dates and details from Dublin Zoo (opens in a new tab)TwinkleTown Smithfield Square
Winter festivalFreeTwinkleTown (Archetype Events) · Dublin
- Host
- TwinkleTown (Archetype Events) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Smithfield Square, Dublin 7
- When
- 20 November to 31 December; weekdays 11am to 9pm (see the website for weekend hours)
- Price
- Free entry; ice skating and Santo Panto ticketed
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
TwinkleTown fills Smithfield Square with festive fun from 20 November to 31 December, and it is free to walk in. Families can take to the covered ice rink, catch the Santo Panto, which includes gifts for the little ones, ride the Big Wheel over the city or try the vintage fairground. There are also craft stalls, workshops, live music and food from around the world.
The ice skating and Santo Panto are ticketed, so look for the ticket note on each attraction on the website. Weekday opening is 11am to 9pm. A second TwinkleTown site in St Patrick's Park, about 20 minutes' walk away, runs from 27 November to 23 December with lights, choirs, a Twilight Garden and rides for younger children, so you could do both in one trip.
Parent tip: Book Santo Panto and skating tickets ahead, as these are the only ticketed parts.
See dates and details from TwinkleTown (Archetype Events) (opens in a new tab)The Helix Panto 2026: Neverland
Panto or Christmas showThe Helix · Dublin
- Host
- The Helix (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The Helix, DCU, Collins Avenue, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
- When
- 21 November to 10 January, times vary
- Price
- Tickets from €33
- Ages
- All the family
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Helix panto is one of Dublin's biggest, and for 2026 TheatreworX Productions takes audiences to Neverland. Lola, Buddy and Laurel return with a host of new characters on a journey to a world of pirates, fairies and forgotten powers, with the usual mix of songs, slapstick and audience participation.
Performances run from 21 November right through to 10 January, so there are plenty of dates after Christmas if December is busy. Show times vary across the run, so check the Helix website for the full schedule before booking. Tickets start from €33. The theatre is on the DCU campus in Glasnevin, which makes it handy for families on the northside, and the Helix bills it, as ever, as Dublin's most magical panto.
Parent tip: Times vary through the run, so check the full schedule on the Helix website before you book.
See dates and details on Visit Dublin (opens in a new tab)Robin Hood: The Gaiety Panto
Panto or Christmas showThe Gaiety Theatre · Dublin
- Host
- The Gaiety Theatre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The Gaiety Theatre, South King Street, Dublin 2
- When
- 22 November to 3 January, times vary
- Price
- Tickets from €23
- Ages
- All the family
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Gaiety has been staging Christmas pantomime for over 150 years, and for 2026 it is Robin Hood. Robin and his band of rebels rob from the rich to give to the poor, outwit the dastardly Sheriff of Snottingham and, of course, Robin finds true love with Maid Marian, with plenty of frolics and panto merriment along the way.
Performances run from 22 November to 3 January with a mix of matinees and evening shows, so check the Gaiety website for the full list of dates and times. Tickets start from €23. Expect extra men in tights, Robin knocking the devious Sheriff off his high horse, and the regular dose of Gaiety panto magic that Dublin families return to every year.
Parent tip: Times vary through the run, so check the Gaiety website for matinee dates before booking.
See dates and details on Visit Dublin (opens in a new tab)Everwinter
Winter festivalEverwinter at the RDS · Dublin
- Host
- Everwinter at the RDS (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- RDS Grounds, Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
- When
- 25 November to 23 December, 2pm to 9pm; ice rink also 26 December to 3 January
- Price
- From €2.50; attractions priced separately
- Ages
- Family friendly
- Booking
- Booking recommended
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Everwinter is a brand-new festive destination at the RDS in Ballsbridge. It brings together a spectacular covered ice rink, Robert Fossett's Circus in a traditional big top, a vintage fairground, a Christmas market of Irish craft and design, festive food and live entertainment, all in one place.
The festival runs from 25 November to 23 December, from 2pm to 9pm, and the ice rink reopens from 26 December to 3 January for the holiday week. Entry starts from €2.50, with the circus, skating and rides booked or paid separately. With the circus and fairground side by side, it is an easy place to fill an afternoon with children of different ages, whether you are coming as a family or meeting friends.
Parent tip: Check which attractions need a separate ticket, such as the circus and the ice rink, before you go.
See dates and details on Visit Dublin (opens in a new tab)A Christmas Carol
Panto or Christmas showThe Ark · Dublin
- Host
- The Ark (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The Ark, 11a Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
- When
- Weekends 28 November to 20 December at 11am and 2pm; 21 to 23 and 28 to 30 December at 11am, 2pm and 4pm
- Price
- €18.50 or €14 per person (see The Ark for which applies)
- Ages
- Ages 7+
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Ark, Dublin's cultural centre for children, brings back Livin' Dred's A Christmas Carol, a playful physical storytelling version of the Dickens classic devised straight from the original text. Two award-winning actors in snazzy suits play every character at break-neck speed, using colourful hats, scarves and a coat-rack, as Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.
The Ark describes it as funny, slightly scary and heart-warming, and recommends it for ages 7 and up. Public shows are on Saturdays and Sundays from 28 November to 20 December at 11am and 2pm, with extra holiday shows at 11am, 2pm and 4pm on 21 to 23 and 28 to 30 December. Tickets are €18.50 or €14. It is a lovely way to introduce older children to the story before or after reading it together.
Parent tip: Best for ages 7 and up as some moments are a little spooky; members get 20% off.
See dates and details from The Ark (opens in a new tab)Santa Experience at Croke Park
Santa experienceGAA Museum, Croke Park · Dublin
- Host
- GAA Museum, Croke Park (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- GAA Museum, Croke Park, Jones' Road (Cusack Stand side), Dublin 3
- When
- Selected dates, 28 November to 23 December
- Price
- Adults €17, children 2 and over €25 (with gift), 13 to 23 months €19
- Ages
- Children from 13 months
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Santa returns to Croke Park for 2026, where the North Pole GAA team is training for the big night. Families peek into the elves' dressing rooms, play festive games in the Skills Zone and then step into Santa's Croke Park cabin to meet him, with Mrs Claus there too. Children can even share their predictions for the 2027 All-Ireland championships.
Visits are in small groups, but every booking gets a moment alone with Santa for a photo. Tickets include the GAA Museum, where children can follow a Cúchulainn Christmas quest trail to find hidden elves and win a prize. The experience lasts 50 minutes and runs on selected dates from 28 November to 23 December. Tickets must be booked online in advance: €17 for adults, €25 for children aged two and over including a gift, and €19 for little ones aged 13 to 23 months.
Parent tip: Tickets cannot be bought on the day. Free parking is outside the GAA Museum on the Cusack Stand side, and the visit is buggy and wheelchair accessible.
See dates and details from GAA Museum, Croke Park (opens in a new tab)The Magic of Christmas at Airfield Estate
Santa experienceAirfield Estate · Dublin
- Host
- Airfield Estate (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Airfield Estate, Overend Way, Dundrum, Dublin D14 EE77
- When
- 28 November to 22 December, 10am to 6.50pm
- Price
- See Airfield for ticket prices
- Ages
- Families
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Airfield Estate in Dundrum turns into a gentle festive day out from 28 November to 22 December. Children can write and post a letter to Santa at the Elves' Post Office, try mini festive games with a fairground feel, decorate their own Christmas cookies and make a decoration to bring home at the craft workshop. Santa's real reindeer are also on the farm.
The highlight is a personal family visit with Santa, with bookings available either in the Cosy Cottage or in Airfield House itself. The Claus Café serves warming hot chocolate if little hands get cold. The visit is designed to be unhurried, which suits families with younger children who find busy grottos a bit much. Slots run between 10am and 6.50pm, so check the booking page for the time and Santa location that suits you.
Parent tip: Book your Santa slot in advance and choose between the Cosy Cottage and Airfield House when you book.
See dates and details on Visit Dublin (opens in a new tab)Beauty & The Beast
Panto or Christmas showAxis Arts Centre and Theatre · Dublin
- Host
- Axis Arts Centre and Theatre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Axis Arts Centre and Theatre, Main Street, Ballymun, Dublin 9
- When
- 17 December to 24 January, shows at 1.30pm, 5.30pm or 7.30pm
- Price
- Adults €22, children €18, family ticket €75
- Ages
- All the family
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Axis in Ballymun is celebrating 25 years, and so is its Christmas panto from Holding Court Theatre. This year Dame Stuffy leads audiences through Beauty and the Beast, with magic curses, daring adventures and plenty of songs and dances. Children are encouraged to sing along, cheer on the heroes and boo the baddies.
The run starts on 17 December and continues into January, with shows at 1.30pm, 5.30pm or 7.30pm depending on the date. Prices are friendlier than the big city-centre pantos: €22 for adults, €18 for children, over 65s and carers, and a family ticket of €75 covering one adult and three children or two adults and two children. It is a warm, community-feel panto that has been part of Christmas in Ballymun for a quarter of a century.
Parent tip: The family ticket (€75 for four) is the best value; check which show time applies on your chosen date.
See dates and details on Visit Dublin (opens in a new tab)This Way to Christmas! Featuring The Snowman
Panto or Christmas showNational Concert Hall · Dublin
- Host
- National Concert Hall (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- National Concert Hall, Main Stage, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
- When
- 18 to 20 December; relaxed performance Saturday 19 December at 10.30am
- Price
- Adults €30, children €23, family of four €95
- Ages
- All the family
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
This Way to Christmas is a festive favourite at the National Concert Hall. Host Louis Lovett leads a seasonal show with the NCH Christmas Orchestra and conductor Fergus Sheil, featuring parading nutcrackers, classic Christmas songs and festive dance, plus a special guest with a familiar ho ho ho.
The second half is a screening of the much-loved film The Snowman, with Howard Blake's score played live by the orchestra. Performances run from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 December. The 10.30am show on Saturday is a relaxed performance, and the 1pm performance includes Irish Sign Language. Tickets are €30 for adults, €23 for children, or €95 for a family of four with a maximum of two adults, with half price for people with disabilities and their carers.
Parent tip: Choose the Saturday 10.30am relaxed performance for children who prefer a calmer, more flexible audience.
See dates and details from National Concert Hall (opens in a new tab)Cinderella: Olly and the Glass Slipper
Panto or Christmas show3Olympia Theatre · Dublin
- Host
- 3Olympia Theatre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- 3Olympia Theatre, 72 Dame Street, Dublin 2
- When
- 19 December to 3 January (no shows 24 and 25 December)
- Price
- Tickets from €23.50 including fees; under 3s free on a lap
- Ages
- All ages; children 3 and over need a ticket
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
After a sell-out season last year, Olly, Polly and Dolly are back at the 3Olympia on Dame Street, this time rescuing Cinderella from her outrageous Ugly Sisters. Expect non-stop energy, lots of audience participation and comedy pitched for all ages.
Shows run from 19 December to 3 January, with no performances on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Tickets start at €23.50 including booking fee and a €2 restoration levy. Children aged two and under can sit on an adult's lap without a ticket, while everyone three and over needs one. The show runs about two and a half hours with an interval. Free booster seats are available from the bars for a refundable €10 cash deposit, and there is a small free buggy parking area.
Parent tip: Bring €10 in cash for a booster seat deposit, and leave the buggy at home if you can, as buggy space is very limited.
See dates and details from 3Olympia Theatre (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Malahide
2 confirmed events in Malahide, soonest first.
Wonderlights at Malahide Castle & Gardens
Christmas lightsWonderlights (Follow Fox Events) · Malahide
- Host
- Wonderlights (Follow Fox Events) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Malahide Castle & Gardens, Back Road
- When
- Select evenings, 12 November to 29 December, 5pm to 8.30pm
- Price
- From €17.50; under 2s free
- Ages
- All ages
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Wonderlights returns to Malahide Castle & Gardens for its sixth year, transforming the historic gardens with a new themed trail of more than a million twinkling lights, projections and specially composed music. The trail is fully accessible and buggy friendly, so it works well for families with small children as well as older ones.
It opens on select evenings between 12 November and 29 December, from 5pm to 8.30pm, with timed tickets from €17.50. Under 2s go free, and student, OAP and carer tickets are available. At the end of the trail there is an Alpine-style food village with hot chocolate, treats and hot food. Santa also visits Malahide Castle from 28 November as a separate booking, if you want to make a full evening of it.
Parent tip: Book a timed slot online, wrap up warmly and bring the buggy if needed, as the paths are accessible.
See dates and details on Visit Dublin (opens in a new tab)Santa at Malahide Castle
Santa experienceFollow Fox Events at Malahide Castle & Gardens · Malahide
- Host
- Follow Fox Events at Malahide Castle & Gardens (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Malahide Castle & Gardens, Back Road
- When
- 28 November to 23 December, from 11am
- Price
- Prices vary by date and time
- Ages
- Families
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Follow Fox, the team behind Wonderlights, brings Santa to Malahide Castle for the 2026 season. Families step into the decorated castle, soak up the Christmas atmosphere and meet Santa in his castle setting, with time to share Christmas wishes and capture photos together.
Slots run from 28 November to 23 December, starting from 11am, and prices vary depending on the date and time you choose. It is a good option if you would like to combine a Santa visit with a winter walk in the castle grounds or, on the same day, an evening at Wonderlights, which runs in the gardens from 12 November. Prices and availability are shown when you choose a date, so it is worth looking early for weekend slots.
Parent tip: Pair it with Wonderlights in the castle gardens on the same evening if your children can manage a later night.
See dates and details on Visit Dublin (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Donabate
1 confirmed event in Donabate, soonest first.
A Christmas to Remember (Donabate)
Santa experienceNewbridge House & Farm · Donabate
- Host
- Newbridge House & Farm (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Newbridge House & Farm, Newbridge Demesne, Donabate
- When
- 28 November to 22 December, 10am to 4.30pm
- Price
- Prices vary by slot
- Ages
- Families
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
A Christmas to Remember takes families on a festive journey through the farmyard and historic rooms of Newbridge House in Donabate. It starts with a cosy hot chocolate welcome, then children collect reindeer food and find Mrs Claus busy making Christmas puddings before heading along an enchanted elves' passageway.
The journey ends by the fireside with a personalised visit with Santa, after which each child chooses a gift from the Elves' Toy Shop. The experience has a traditional, nostalgic feel and suits families who like a calmer pace. It runs from 28 November to 22 December between 10am and 4.30pm, with prices depending on the slot. Newbridge also runs a separate Santa Paws session for dog owners, so check you are booking the family experience.
Parent tip: Book ahead, and make sure you choose the family experience rather than the Santa Paws dog session.
See dates and details on Visit Dublin (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Tallaght
1 confirmed event in Tallaght, soonest first.
Tickles and Dottie are Freezin' (Tallaght)
Panto or Christmas showThe Civic Theatre · Tallaght
- Host
- The Civic Theatre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The Civic Theatre, Belgard Square East, Tallaght, Dublin 24
- When
- 2 December to 3 January, times vary
- Price
- Tickets from €27
- Ages
- All the family
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Tickles and Dottie are back at the Civic Theatre in Tallaght with a laugh-out-loud panto inspired by The Snow Queen and Frozen. When a winter spell plunges the village into icy chaos, the pair set off on a snowy quest packed with slapstick, catchy songs and heart-warming fun, following Princess Ella and Princess Hannah as they learn that love and acceptance are the strongest magic of all.
The run starts on 2 December and continues until 3 January. The Civic panto is known for selling out, so it is worth booking early for the best seats. Tickets start from €27, and full show dates and times are on the Civic's own website. The story carries a gentle message about learning to be yourself, wrapped up in plenty of icy silliness.
Parent tip: This panto usually sells out, so book early and check the Civic website for show times.
See dates and details on Visit Dublin (opens in a new tab)More Christmas events for kids in Ireland
- Christmas events for kids in Cork
- Christmas events for kids in Galway
- Christmas events for kids in Limerick
- Christmas events for kids in Ireland
A story for the trip home
Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is hand-painted in watercolour. It is a cosy five-minute read after a big day out.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolour. Ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon.co.uk (opens in a new tab)Dublin Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Dublin in 2026?
We confirmed 15 Christmas events for kids in Dublin for 2026, each on its host’s own page, including Wild Lights: Passport to Wonder, Wonderlights at Malahide Castle & Gardens, TwinkleTown Smithfield Square, The Helix Panto 2026: Neverland, Robin Hood: The Gaiety Panto, Everwinter, A Christmas Carol, A Christmas to Remember (Donabate), Santa Experience at Croke Park, Santa at Malahide Castle, The Magic of Christmas at Airfield Estate and Tickles and Dottie are Freezin' (Tallaght). Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Dublin?
Yes. One of the 15 events here is free: TwinkleTown Smithfield Square. Some parts may still be ticketed, so check the listing.
Where can kids see Santa in Dublin this year?
Santa appears at A Christmas to Remember (Donabate), Santa Experience at Croke Park, Santa at Malahide Castle and The Magic of Christmas at Airfield Estate. Times and booking rules are in each listing above.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on 2 November 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
